Some particularly efficient fire fighting and fire prevention work has been done by
Meriden, Conn., Scouts.

"The town of Meriden is surrounded with beautiful woods which were formerly the
subject of many serious fires, which were permitted to burn for weeks at a time until a
rain extinguished them. For the past few years, the Boy Scouts have
added to their many lines of service this important work of protecting the woods from
destruction by fire. The State Fire Warden and First Selectman have appointed the
Scout Executive as Town Fire Warden, and when a fire is reported, a truck is
"commandeered" and Scouts are rushed to the scene with extinguishers and other
apparatus furnished by the town and State. The boys have done noble work under extreme
difficulties. If any one thinks it an easy job to face a scorching fire, with smoke from
leaves and stumps, he has but to take an hour or so on the side of a mountain some hot day
and attempt to beat back a good roaring blaze."

Scout Executive Roberts himself has this to say about how they do it:

"We have telephone mobilization and have the cooperation of the schools. If a fire
occurs during school period, as many Scouts as are needed are excused at the request of
the Scout Executive, who is the Town Fire Warden.

"Apparatus is stored in the basement of the Town Hall where we mobilize. A truck
is commandeered, and in a short time our fire lines are extended. Parts of the force are
in two divisions of "beaters," cedars being used to whip out the fire.

The two divisions alternate, so there is a short period of rest for breath given each
division. Another detail has rakes which are used to make paths, across which we try
to prevent the fire from jumping. Another division has charge of hand-pumps and
pails, water being carried by bucket-brigade from nearest pool or stream.

"Our last fire could be seen fourteen miles from here and the Fire Warden from
Bristol, Conn., telephoned to see if it had our attention.

"We had forty-seven Scouts on the scene in short order, and the recall was sounded
by our bugler within an hour-and-a-half later."

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Old School Scouting:
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